Origin of ndi Igbo in Nigeria

   Ndigbo have no common tradition story of their origin. As many local tradition stories of their origin abound abundantly, debate to establish a common origin is on till date. Like any group of people, Ndigbo are anxious to disco er their origin, reconstruct how they came to be where they are. For professor Afigbo, Igbo " experiences under colonialism and Nigeria's independence have emphasized for them the reality of their group identity which they want to anchor into authenticated history."

The quest to discover their origin, has given rise to many theories such as oral interview conducted in 1972 by Igbo historian isichei on an elder from mbaise  town. He said  to her : "We did not come from any where  and anyone tells you we come from anywhere is a liar. Write it down." For professor Achebe, "the Igbo are the oldest people who have lived in the entity  called Nigeria and can never be seen as settlers" While historians have various theories of Igbo origins.

  The archaeological study of Eastern Nigeria by battle showed that Ndigbo had been living where they are now by " 2000 to 3000 BC ". The story of Eri the progenitor of NRI claims Igbo affinity with igala people of Benue State in the Northern part of Nigeria. Perhaps this may have been one of the reason while historians suggest "that the people known as Igbo may have migrated into modern - day Igboland from areas further North.
still there are other records that point to the ancestry from western Igbolsnd whose people traced their ancestry to the famous ancient kingdom whose people traced their ancestry to the famous ancient kingdom of Benin located in the mid western region. Recent theory links Ndigbo to the Jews of Israel because of some common idiosyncrasies they share like " child - naming and meaning of names assigned at birth and circumcision. " These activities are important to Ndi Igbo as they were to the Hebrews of Old. But debates are on to find the origin of ndi gbo